International student mobility rises despite tightening visa rules

Global demand for international education continues to rise despite tightening visa regulations in major destinations like the United States and Australia. Data indicates significant growth in student mobility from regions including India, Africa, and Latin America.

In India, NITI Aayog reports that the number of students studying abroad increased from 11.59 lakh in 2021-22 to 13.36 lakh by 2024. Despite stricter policies, more than 350,000 Indian students were enrolled in the United States as of February 2026, accounting for nearly half of all international graduate students in the country. In Australia, Indian students numbered 110,662 out of a total of 680,582 international students between January and May 2026, even as the government implemented national planning levels for international student intake.

The United Kingdom is also experiencing growth, with Indian applicants receiving a high rate of sponsored study visas. Beyond India, UNESCO reports that Nigeria was the world’s third-largest source of international students in 2023, representing five percent of global outbound mobility.